Zvonimir Boban Still Haunted by His Costliest Mistake: “I Will Never Forgive Myself”

Nearly three decades later, Zvonimir Boban still says one moment hurts more than any other in his career: losing the ball in Croatia's 1998 World Cup semifinal against France. “I will never forgive myself,” he said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Boban, now Dinamo Zagreb's president, said last season's league and Croatian Cup double with the Zagreb club gave him the happiest moment of his football life. He placed it above the major trophies he won as a Milan player, including the 1994 Champions League. “Dinamo has always been in my heart. My father was a Dinamo representative, I went to matches with my brother, and I became the team captain at 18. Dinamo comes first for me, apart from my family,” he said.

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I will never forgive myself.

He also described his position as president as a responsibility that has not displaced his identity as a player. “I am proud. I am the first democratically elected president, but in my soul I remain a footballer. The position I hold will not change my sincere passion for football,” Boban said.

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I am proud. I am the first democratically elected president, but in my soul I remain a footballer. The position I hold will not change my sincere passion for football.

Boban criticized the lack of attacking football among Italian clubs, including Milan, while singling out Como as a project he likes. “I am a fan of that project and of the way Fàbregas leads the team. And there is Baturina, a boy from Dinamo Zagreb like me,” he said. Boban believes Como could compete for the title, although he acknowledged that Inter and the tradition of the major clubs remain advantages.

On Luka Modric, who continues playing at the highest level for Milan at 41, Boban said age would not erase his talent. “Luka Modric has genius, and genius does not disappear with age. With his logic, he anticipates situations,” he said. However, Boban expects the midfielder to find Ruben Amorim's system demanding. He said Modric may have to cover 60 meters alongside one other player, compared with the protection of two midfielders and a deeper role under Massimiliano Allegri.

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Dinamo has always been in my heart. My father was a Dinamo representative, I went to matches with my brother, and I became the team captain at 18. Dinamo comes first for me, apart from my family.

Boban also criticized Milan, saying the club has not reached the level it should. He attributed last season's loss to Cagliari to a defensive approach and said Milan failed to dominate when it mattered. He further described the fee paid for Ramos as disproportionately high, while acknowledging the player's quality in front of goal.

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Luka Modric has genius, and genius does not disappear with age. With his logic, he anticipates situations.